April 2013

Efficiency of applying a model for measuring key performance indicators in an industrial enterprise

The paper presents the results of applying the developed models for measuring process key performance indicators (KPIs) in a complex industrial company, including analysis of the effectiveness of its implementation in the analyzed field. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the general approach and principles of organization and management of an industrial enterprise - based on the integration of its functions...

Author(s): Željko Đurić and Rado Maksimović

April 2013

How green is bioenergy? A review on myths, challenges, biotechnology progress and emerging possibilities

Bioenergy is a very heterogeneous aggregation of different feedstocks, conversion technologies and end-uses, and are often promoted as a "green" alternative to fossil fuels. In the case of fossil fuels, extraction energy costs would become higher than the actual energy yield due to increased energy costs for research, deep drilling, as well as to the lower quality and accessibility of the still available oil...

Author(s): Angelina González-Rosas, Juan Marcelo Miranda-Gómez, K.P. Padmasree and Fabián Fernández-Luqueño

April 2013

Dietary supplementation with natural honey promotes growth and health of male and female rats compared to cane syrup

The modern human diet contains refined sugars mainly fructose, with culpability in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. We investigated the effects of natural honey (NH) as a source of fructose on metabolism in growing animal models. This was to determine whether NH can substitute refined sugars, without adverse effects. Fifty-nine suckling rats were fed diets containing NH or cane syrup (golden syrup, GS)...

Author(s): Abdulwahid Ajibola, Joseph P. Chamunorwa and Kennedy H. Erlwanger

April 2013

Studies on natural resources, trade and conservation of Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth., Scrophulariaceae) from Kumaun Himalaya

The present study deals with populations, trade and conservation aspect ofPicrorhiza kurroa. It is a rare and endangered medicinal plant useful in curing many diseases. The study reveals poor relative density of the species in almost all the populations, suggesting the need of careful and immediate conservation of the plant. It is dubious that the species can perform well ex-situ, due to its narrow ecological range, and...

Author(s): Deepshikha Arya, Deepika Bhatt, Ravi Kumar, Lalit. M. Tewari, Kamal Kishor and G. C. Joshi

April 2013

Application of Weibull distribution model in describing the pile salting of goat meat slices

Application of Weibull model in the pile salting of goat meat slices was studied to predict the moisture and salt contents and determine the effective water diffusion coefficient (De). The high coefficients of determination (R2 > 0.99) and low mean relative error (< 10%) indicated the acceptability of Weibull model for predicting both the moisture and salt contents and determining De. Values of scale...

Author(s): Otoniel Corzo, Nelson Bracho and Jaime Rodríguez

April 2013

Chemical analyses of aqueous extract of Parkia biglobosa fruit husk collected from Northern Ghana

Water and ethanol extracts of Parkia biglobosa fruit husk were compared and analysed. Methods used were Sohxlet extraction, phytochemical screening, high power liquid chromatography (HPLC), fractionation and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Water was identified as a more efficient solvent than ethanol for the extraction of P. biglobosa fruit husk. The storage period (after harvest) of husk...

Author(s): Abagale, S. A., Twumasi S. K. and Awudza J. A. M.